San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-09-22
HAYS 10

@Ao SSe AOOss
We have an abiding confidence In the In
telligence and patriotism of the people OF
Texas and do not apprehend the threat
ened dangers TO our peace aud prosperity.
Whilo under the conditions and circum-
stances herein before stated, the amendment
has been largely defeated. we believe that
the people are not committed by such vote
to the enthronement and perpetuity Of the
saloons.
While It Is in fact victory for the liquor
traffic and tho politician, we do not believe
that the people so meant II.
Upon the advisabillty and practicability
of the amendment iu its present form they
have decided adversely. But they have also
avowsd that they are opposed to the saloons.
Here, then, is something worth working
for To this work we invite all who favor
ed the amendment and all who, though op-
posing the amendment pledged themselves
thus far. To accomplish this will be vast
stride towards the redemption, regeneration
and disenthrallment Of Texas.
There is another factor In popular cleo
tions, whose power, even when legitimately
employed, has never been approximately
realized by tho average Prohibitionist. As
suming for argument sake, that not a speak
or. paper or vote was purchased directly
or indirectly, there yet remains mighty
province for the honorable employment Of
money. A cause which can furnish any
unstinted supply of literature, which can
reasonably compensate laborers for their
labor, which can take from the impecuni-
ous, but active canvasser, the burden Of
actual expenses, which oan multiply these
canvassers until by systematical arrange
ments vast conversational still hunt has
reached every voter in the mountains or in
the woods-such cause is powerful beyond
even the conception of On inexperienced
man.
Upon this point all the odds were against
us. Where $50, 600 copies Of an antiprohi-
bition speech were printed, we could offset
it with only 10000 copies of the refutation.
What matters it, If the refutations were
overwhelming, since thousands of voters
never sawit
The worldly-wise direction of the Anheu-
SER Busch circular was followed with tre-
mendous success. "The rural population
OIL the farm and ranch and the colored Ia.
borers" from the Panhandle to the Gulf and
from Texarkana to FL Paso were reached to
man.
Many practical politicians, including some
who would scorn to use q bribe, regard oil
popular elections as purely question of
dollars and cents. In their Judgment, not
the heaviest battlions, but the heaviest
purse wins the victory.
While such philosophy is radically de-
fective in some particulars, there il meas
ure of truth in It,
And what had we to oppose to the wealth.
lest monied corporation in the United Statesf
| A corporation which at one session flone
provided q campaign fund Of 81 SOC, 900.
Our funds were niserably inadequate.
Wretchedly disproportionate to even the
bnrest necessities. The greater part OF our
funds was contributed by volunteer speak.
ers, who, in addition, paid their own ex-
penses Many counties were never can.
y.ssed at all. Southern Texas was barely
SKINNED over, touching lightly at the most
accessible railroad points. And yet we did
everything in our power under the circum-
stances 1t was the most manful and the
most successful fight Of the century, con-
sidering the odds against us and the scant
means at our disposal After awhile our
people will realize that war against the IL
quor traffic means WAR;. and demands the
sinews OF war.
Wherever the discussion was most thor
ough there the Prohibition vote was strong
est. Many towns and cities voted for the
amendment, When compared with other
elections, the vote discloses some suggest
i've lessons.
In McLennan county, strongly Democrat
! ic, Prohibition received several hundred
more votes than Gov Ross or any other
Democratic nominee ever received who had
opposition. And yet the Antis carried the
county by 900 majority. To obtain such q
majority, it was necessary for the aggregate
vote to nearly double the gubernatorial vote.
revealing the startling fact, either that q
large number of fraudulent votes were cast,
or that about $500 voters in this county
never vote except in whisky elections! Waco
was lost by only twenty. nine votes.
An analysis of the general vote will show
that the Prohibition strength came from the
Democratic party. The 35 counties which
voted for the amendment were all strongly
Democratic. The great Anti 'majorities
were in the Republican strongholds, and
where there was least Prohibition discussion.
While the papers have published from un-
, OlQclHl EtLuTub tuC kCnCfh uAA eho
respective majorities in the several counties,
neither the total vote in the counties nor in
the State has been published Until this is
done no accurate analysis can be made.
In general terms, we know that it is the
largest vote ever polled in Texas-reachipR.
probably, 1000
By enlarging, in just proportions. the
Cleveland and Blaine vote so as TO reach the
present aggregate. we may approximately
determine the total vote for Prohibition de-
rived respectively from Democratic and Re-
publican constitunrcies.
Such an estim ite, when fairly made, viii
disclose that the Democratic vote has been
nearly evenly divided. while the Republican
vote has gone about one-tenth for Prohibi-
ton and nine-tenths against IT,
We have good reason 10 congratulate the
great Prohibition host Of Texas upon their
superb, enthusiastic and courageous fight.
The seeds of ultimate victory have been
planted. The cause has made wonderful
gains. There is no Just ground for discour-
agement. That part Of the Republican
vote which stood with US 10 the last, iDclnd-
ing A. We believe the most intelligent. Pur-
est and best element, deserves the highest
praise.
We conclude our address with the follow
ing recommendations
/ That having appealed to the people
we should cheerfully accept their verdict a.
rendered at the ballot boz.
2 We deem il unvise 10 ask for a resub-
mission Of the amendment in the near fn-
ture Certainly the next Legislature should
not Be disturbed with this QUESTION
3. But ~ the cause We advO0ated has
lot no r;gh.eo1<nsss By defeat. and a. the
perils froIn the liquor trathc are 5ncreased
rufher than diminished by vietoy. ne ad-
viss our friends TO keep up Their Orgaoiza-
t;o- 4, thfs way ue cau basf ai in auv